It's been awhile!

Ahh! So it's been QUITE some time since my last post ..


What have I been doing? School, school, school, and more school.

This past semester I took 19 credit hours and almost lost my mind during finals week. Not only did I take this many classes, but I joined 2 clubs, worked on the weekends, and tried to find time to workout AND see friends and family! It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done.

But I am proud to say that after the longest semester of my life .. I was on the Dean's List AND am was asked to be in TWO honor societies!!

I was so unbelievable proud of myself and I feel like I grew so much as a dietetics student.

SO, what am I doing now??
I'm into my second semester at Buff State now and I can say that I just absolutely am in love with my major. I don't know how other people feel about school and what they are studying but I 100% KNOW that I picked the field I am supposed to be in. I learn new things every single day and I am like this little kid who has just learned something amazing that they just can't keep to themselves.

But…..
It challenges me and scares me every single day .. my professors expect professionalism at class,  every quiz and test counts more than you want to think about.. there are no more blow off exams.. every volunteer opportunity you are given is expected to be taken, your peers are people who in the end you are competing against for limited spots in the program. Overall there is no such thing as a fun-easy college life when you're a dietetics student. Like I have posted before, this is the 3rd school I've attended and my 3rd year in college.. I should be graduating next year.. Will I be? No.

It's scary and disappointing that I won't have my degree in four years and I tell myself a lot that I have wasted money and time, but when it comes down to it, I don't want any other career path. So it's okay that it's going to take me a couple extra semesters and a little (a lot) more money.


On the Bright Side!!
I am so so sooo very happy that I transferred to Buffalo State!! I may dislike being away from home all the time and not being a social butterfly BUT I have met some AMAZING professors and students. I have the incredible opportunity right now to be working with one of my absolute favorite professors on creating handouts for graduate students on healthy eating. Through this I am creating such an amazing relationship with her and if anyone knows anything about dietetics.. connections and building relationships like this are KEY for a successful future.

What's in store for my school future??
I am currently sitting in a sophomore-ish standing and need to do very well for my next couple years.
I have two options that I need have to think a lot about and either one of them will be the next step to my career:

1. You need an internship after graduating with a dietetics degree before you can sit for the RD exam. Internships are usually 6-12 months long, UNPAID and cost the tuition of where ever you go. ONLY 1/2 of the applicants get computer matched to an internship.. yikes. So, you have to be an outstanding student to be selected (did I mention this is a nationwide selection process). This internship is very hard to get and once you're matched, the internship is no joke.. After that year is done you sit for your RD exam!
2. Buffalo State offers a DEP program where your internship is joined in with your junior and senior year curriculum. It saves you A TON of money, the time of an internship and you have professors still that can guide you! The issue is.. this is also a selection processes. You still have to be an amazing student to be selected.

My dilemma .. I am definitely going to apply for the DEP program and if I don't get in then I will apply for an internship.. BUT if I decide I want to go the DEP route if I get accepted, it will be another 3 years of school from now because of the way they offer courses ( I have to take certain classes that are only offered in the fall/spring before I can apply so it's pushing the time I can apply back a year). If I go the internship route, It will save me a semester to a year.. so it's a lot of big decisions I have to make it is veryyyyy stressful.

Even though I might be ranting and scaring some people away from the dietetics field, when you're passionate about what you do, you forget things like that when you get to do this..

I volunteered in 1st grade classes at my old elementary school and got to teach the kids about nutrition and a little about MyPlate! It was such and amazing experience!! I was able to work on my speaking skills, I got to share my love of nutrition with fun little minds, and I was finally able to put my education to good use.

Hopefully I will stay on top of my blog a little better this semester and get to share a ton of new things!

Stay warm and healthy!

:)

Lauren